PHILADELPHIA, 2014—The rich sights, flavors, arts, and traditions of Iraq, ancient and modern, converge Saturday, March 8, 1:00 – 4:00 pm, when the Penn Museum presents Iraqi Cultural Day! The special afternoon is a featured part of this year's citywide One Book, One Philadelphia joint project of the Mayor's Office and the Free Library of Philadelphia.

Nearly 700 Iraqis have resettled in Philadelphia, helping to inspire a family-friendly afternoon of food and cultural dress demonstrations, and fine arts and photographic displays. The day's lineup also includes children's crafts and activities, including a group reading of The Librarian of Basra, a 2014 One Book, One Philadelphia family reading selection.

Innovative Program is Second in 3-Concert “Relâche Classics and Silent Comedies” Series at the Penn Museum

PHILADELPHIA, PA­—Relâche, Philadelphia’s internationally-renowned new music ensemble, continues its “Classics and Silent Comedies” series on Sunday, February 9 at 3:00 p.m. with "Comix Trips Meets Buster" at the Penn Museum, 3260 South Street on the University of Pennsylvania campus. The three-concert series, featuring both commissioned music and live accompaniment to old silent films, is part of the University of Pennsylvania’s Year of Sound. Performances are held in the Museum’s newly renovated Widener Hall.

Relâche concert tickets are just $15 ($10 for Museum members), in advance or at the door, while supplies last. A ticket may be used to enter and explore the Museum’s international galleries after 2:00 pm on the day of the concert. February 9 tickets may be purchased online.

PHILADELPHIA, PA—African music, belly dancing in the North African tradition, storytelling, arts, artifacts, games, crafts, and cuisine all come together Saturday, February 8, 1:00 to 4:00 pm, for the Penn Museum's annual Celebration of African Cultures. Now in its 25th year, the festive event features an array of renowned local artists including the Universal African Dance and Drum Ensemble, storyteller Momma Sandi and the percussionists of the Women's Sekere Ensemble. The afternoon is free with Museum admission donation ($15, general admission; $13, seniors [65+]; $10, children [6-17] and full-time students [with ID]; free to children under 5, members, active U.S. Military, and PennCard holders).

The celebration is co-sponsored by the Africa Center of the University of Pennsylvania.

Discovery Provides Evidence of a Forgotten Egyptian Dynasty from 3,600 Years Ago

PHILADELPHIA, PA, January 2014—Archaeologists working at the southern Egyptian site of Abydos have discovered the tomb of a previously unknown pharaoh: Woseribre Senebkay—and the first material proof of a forgotten Abydos Dynasty, ca. 1650–1600 BC. Working in cooperation with Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities, a team from the Penn Museum, University of Pennsylvania, discovered king Senebkay's tomb close to a larger royal tomb, recently identified as belonging to a king Sobekhotep (probably Sobekhotep I, ca. 1780 BC) of the 13th Dynasty.

The discovery of pharaoh Senebkay's tomb is the culmination of work that began during the summer of 2013 when the Penn Museum team, led by Dr. Josef Wegner, Egyptian Section Associate Curator of the Penn Museum, discovered a huge 60-ton royal sarcophagus chamber at South Abydos. The sarcophagus chamber, of red quartzite quarried and transported to Abydos from Gebel Ahmar (near modern Cairo), could be dated to the late Middle Kingdom, but its owner remained unidentified. Mysteriously, the sarcophagus had been extracted from its original tomb and reused in a later tomb—but the original royal owner remained unknown when the summer season ended.

Discovery Highlights Innovative and Complex Fermented Beverages of Northernmost Europe in the Bronze and Iron Ages

Philadelphia, PA 2014—Winters in Scandinavia were long and cold in the Bronze and Iron Ages, then as now—but a blazing fire was not the only thing to keep people warm. From northwest Denmark, circa 1500–1300 BC, to the Swedish island of Gotland as late as the first century AD, Nordic peoples were imbibing an alcoholic "grog" or extreme hybrid beverage rich in local ingredients, including honey, bog cranberry, lingonberry, bog myrtle, yarrow, juniper, birch tree resin, and cereals including wheat, barley and/or rye—and sometimes, grape wine imported from southern or central Europe.

Such is the conclusion based on new archaeochemical evidence derived from samples inside pottery and bronze drinking vessels and strainers from four sites in Demark and Sweden, combined with previous archaeobotanical data. The research ("A biomolecular archaeological approach to 'Nordic grog'") was recently published online in the Danish Journal of Archaeology (Dec. 23, 2013). Patrick E. McGovern, Scientific Director of the Biomolecular Archaeology Project at the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology and author of Uncorking the Past: The Quest for Wine, Beer and Other Alcoholic Beverages (University of California Press, 2009) is the lead author on the paper, which was researched and written in collaboration with colleagues Gretchen R. Hall (University of Pennsylvania Museum) and Armen Mirzoian (Scientific Services Division, Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau [TTB], US Treasury), with key samples and archaeological evidence provided by Scandinavian colleagues.

Renowned Oceanographer Robert Ballard Shares Highlights of His Career—From Discovery of the Titanic to the Oldest Shipwrecks Ever Found—at a Penn Museum Evening Lecture Wednesday, February 5, 6:00 PM

Philadelphia, PA 2014—Robert Ballard, world renowned oceanographer and author best known for his discovery of the sunken Titanic in 1985, offers a public lecture, Lost History beneath the Sea from the Titanic to the Iron Age, at the Penn Museum Wednesday evening, February 5, at 6:00 pm. The program, part of the Museum's popular "Great Voyages: Travels, Triumphs, and Tragedies" monthly evening lecture series, concludes with a book-signing opportunity (The Eternal Darkness: A Personal History of Deep-Sea Exploration, Princeton University Press, available for purchase through the Museum Shop.) Admission to the program is $5 general admission, $2 Penn Museum members, with advance registration; (online registration: www.penn.museum/greatvoyages); or $10 at the door, based on availability. Admission is free for full-time students with ID.

According to Chinese tradition, people born in the year of the horse are energetic, independent, and impatient. They are also avid travelers, great communicators, clever, and kind to others. Celebrities born in the year of the horse include Salma Hayek, Sandra Day O'Connor, Harrison Ford, Gordon Ramsay, the late Nelson Mandela and Shel Silverstein, and Philadelphia native son Kobe Bryant.

— from The Chinese Zodiac

PHILADELPHIA, PA­—Gallop into the excitement and potential of the new year by ringing in the Year of the Horse at the Penn Museum's 33rd Annual Chinese New Year Celebration on Saturday, January 25, 2014, from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. This daylong extravaganza includes martial arts demonstrations, dance performances, calligraphy, language and tangram workshops, family crafts—and a grand finale lion dance performance. The celebration is free with Museum admission donation ($15, general admission; $13, seniors [65+]; $10, children [6-17] and full-time students [with ID]; free to children under 5, members, active U.S. Military, and PennCard holders). Special offer: If you were born in the Year of the Horse (1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002) and can prove it (or even if you're an expectant mom due in 2014), you can gallop on in for free—when you bring at least one non-Horse paying guest with you!

Special presentations bring the sights, sounds, and wonders of China to the Museum in time to join the nearly one-sixth of the world's population in celebrating the traditional Chinese New Year.

Philadelphia, PA 2014—This summer, adventurous children ages 7 through 13 can experience a unique day camp that takes them through time and across continents at the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology on Penn's campus in Philadelphia.

Expanded to nine weeks for summer 2014, "Anthropologists in the Making" runs theme-oriented, weeklong sessions from June 23 through August 22, 2013. Details about the popular camp, coordinated by the Penn Museum's Community Engagement department, are online: www.penn.museum/camp. Online registration is available now via the website.

From Gallery Romps (for ages 3 to 6 and their parents or chaperones), to Second Sunday Family Workshops (drop-ins welcome, suitable for ages 5 and older), from 40 Winks with the Sphinx Sleepovers (ages 6 to 12 and their chaperones), to World Culture Days and Afternoons (fun for all ages), Penn Museum offers families age-appropriate programs to inspire, educate and enjoy.

POMPEII AND THE CLASSICAL WORLD IN THE SPOTLIGHTPenn Museum and The Franklin Institute PartnerTo Provide Combination Ticket, Rich Experience for the Public

PHILADELPHIA, PA 2013—With the special exhibition One Day in Pompeiiat The Franklin Institute, and close by the Penn Museum's suite of galleries, Worlds Intertwined: Etruscans, Greeks, and Romans, the public has a unique opportunity to delve deeply into ancient Italy and the broader Classical World—exploring a dynamic history and culture that continues to influence our world today.

PHILADELPHIA 2013—Recognized for its global jewelry selection, the Museum Shop at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia is offering unique gifts evoking ancient royal style.

Among the collection are Sofala bangle bracelets from South Africa, fair trade items which support women's employment. Inspired by the 16th-century trade prowess of the Mutapa Kingdoms of modern-day Zimbabwe and Mozambique, the bracelets' symbols and patterns celebrate the ancient tradition of adornment and a rich culture of craftsmanship. The bangles are 100% handmade from recycled materials ($12.99 each, or three for $30).

PHILADELPHIA 2013—Get into the holiday spirit with a "passport" for peace! Circle family and friends and head to the Penn Museum for the free 18th annual Peace around the World holiday celebration Sunday, December 1, 1:00 – 4:00 pm. Guests receive Museum "passports" with itineraries to visit six cultures via six international speakers and explore holiday traditions from around the world. The afternoon also features storytelling, a calming yoga session, henna hand art, balloon art, face painting and international family crafts which enable guests to offer their personal wishes for peace and unity, and free treats for children!

Throughout Mexico and around the world, Day of the Day (Día de los Muertos) brings family and friends together to pray for and remember loved ones who have died. Far from a morose affair, Day of the Dead is a celebration, rich in traditions and connections—it is at heart a celebration of life.

Penn Museum Series Complements One Day in Pompeii Special Exhibition at The Franklin Institute

PHILADELPHIA, PA 2013—Ancient Pompeiians failed to recognize the warning signs of their famous entry into history. Perhaps the residents' libertine life of lavish dinner parties, evocative frescoes and raucous sex in this Early Imperial Roman town distracted them from noticing violent earth tremors as early as three days before Mt. Vesuvius' catastrophic eruption on August 24, 79 CE.

Beginning October 20, the Penn Museum invites the public to delve into the sordid, the scientific, and the surviving details of this ancient city with the Pompeii Lecture Series, a four-part series presented on select Sunday afternoons in conjunction with the Franklin Institute's special exhibition One Day in Pompeii(November 9, 2013 through April 27, 2014). Acclaimed presenters include Penn Environmental Science Professor Emeritus Dr. Robert Giegengack, Penn Museum Associate Curator Dr. Janet Monge, Penn Art History Lecturer Victoria Coates, and Penn Museum Curator Dr. Brian Rose.

Penn Museum's Innovative "Touch Tours" Ancient Egyptian Culture Program,Designed with and for Visitors with Blindness or Low Vision,Expands in its Second Season

"This tour provided the chance of a life time to get up close to some fantastic objects that the ancient Egyptians regarded as commonplace. Not many people, either sighted or visually impaired, would ever have the opportunity to place their hands where craftsmen's hands toiled thousands of years ago."

PHILADELPHIA, PA 2013—Following a successful pilot season in the fall of 2012, the "Insights into Ancient Egypt" Touch Tours program at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, designed with and for Museum visitors who are blind or have low vision, is expanding, thanks to extensive input and feedback from members of the community.

The second season of the "Insights into Ancient Egypt" Touch Tour program begins Monday, September 30, with longer visits and a host of innovative changes. The program expands from one to two hours, as guests are invited to discover ancient Egyptian culture through a new classroom learning experience, with tactile diagrams, through connections with both long-time Museum docents and new assistant docents with visual impairment, and through new opportunities for artistic expression. The central gallery experience—exploring through touch several ancient Egyptian artifacts on display—continues with new pieces and specially made replicas.

Trish Maunder, Project Coordinator for Special Tours and a disabilities program consultant for the Museum, worked with Egyptian section Associate Curator Jennifer Wegner, the Museum's Community Engagement Department, and many volunteer Museum docents to develop the program and its expanded offerings. Through focus groups and feedback from low and no-vision guests, she learned that participants wanted more information, educational opportunities, and even outlets for artistic expression—all included in this season's offerings.

PHILADELPHIA, PA, September 16, 2013—Penn Museum opens its doors to DJs, poets, dancers, photographers, live painters and the entire creative community for a night of Jump n' Funk! On October 11, 2013, DJ Rich Medina and partner Mark Hines take center stage for the evening (8:00pm – Midnight) introducing guests to dance, music, and visual display inspired by late African musical icon Fela Anikulapo Kuti.

A pre-event Professionals Garden Party in the Museum's Warden Garden off the Kamin Entrance, runs from 6:00 to 8:00 pm (cash bar). Garden Party sponsors include National Black MBA – Philadelphia Chapter, NExT Philadelphia: Network of Extraordinary Talent (Formerly the Urban League Young Professionals of Philadelphia), Haitian Professionals of Philadelphia, Philadelphia Black Public Relations Society, and the University of Pennsylvania Black Alumni Society (BAS).

Admission to the all-ages show Jump n' Funk, including Penn Museum admission, is just $10. Advance registration through the Penn Museum online event calendar is recommended.

44th Annual International Students & Scholars ReceptionFriday, October 4 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm

PHILADELPHIA, PA 2013—The Penn Museum opens its doors to the world, as international students, scholars, and professionals new to the Delaware Valley are invited to attend this year's 44th annual International Students Reception on Friday, October 4, 5:00 to 7:00 pm. The Welcome Reception, held in the Chinese Rotunda at the Penn Museum, 3260 South Street on the University of Pennsylvania campus in Philadelphia, is free for all international students—and is a featured event in the GlobalPhilly™ 2013 exposition.

Philadelphia PA, Fall 2013— Turkey, a country that borders eight other nations and occupies the meeting point between the eastern and western world, is a cultural crossroads steeped in history—and often in the news. On Saturday afternoon September 28, 1:00 to 5:00 pm, Penn Museum highlights some of the wonders, and the changes, in Turkey, with a Turkish Delight! celebration of the Republic of Turkey. The day features a panel discussion about democracy in Turkey today, and a talk about the newest discoveries at the famous archaeological site of Gordion (legendary home of King Midas of the Golden Touch). Visitors will be treated to traditional belly dance and folk dance performances, a family craft workshop, a mini "Grand Bazaar" to buy Turkish treasures, and more. Turkish Delight! is FREE with Penn Museum admission donation ($15 for adults; $13 for senior citizens (65 and above); free for U.S. Military; $10 for children and full-time students with ID; free to Members, PennCard holders, and children 5 and younger).